Imitrex
is used to treat acute migraine
headache with or without aura
(flashing lights, wavy lines,
dark spots) in adults. It should
not be used to prevent migraines
or cluster headaches.
Imitrex Directions?
How much Imitrex you
take and how often you take it depends on
many factors, including the condition being
treated, your age, and weight. If you have
any questions about the amount and/or frequency
of the medicine you are taking, talk with
your health care provider. Carefully read
the information provided with this medicine
and reread it each time you get this prescription
refilled. Take this medicine exactly as prescribed
by your health care provider. This medicine
is intended to relieve acute migraine headaches.
Do not use it to prevent or reduce the number
of attacks you experience. Use this medicine
only to treat an actual migraine attack. Take
1 tablet whole with fluids as soon as migraine
symptoms appear. A second dose may be taken
after the first dose if there is only a partial
response or symptoms of the migraine return.
Wait 2 hours after taking the first does.
If your symptoms do not improve after the
first dose, do not take a second dose for
the same attack without contacting your health
care provider. Do not take a second tablet
without first talking with your health care
provider. Do not take more than 200 mg in
any 24-hour period. The safety of treating
more than 4 headaches in a 30-day period has
not been established. Contact your health
care provider at once if you experience pain
or tightness in the chest or throat while
using this medicine, or if the pain or tightness
is severe or does not go away. Contact your
health care provider at once if you have sudden
or severe stomach pain while taking this medicine.
Contact your health care provider at once
if shortness of breath, wheezing, heart throbbing,
swelling of eyelids, face, or lips, skin rash
or lumps, or hives occur. If you experience
tingling, abnormally high body temperature,
redness of the face, heaviness, pressure,
drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, or sickness
after using this medicine, notify your health
care provider during your next visit. Do not
use this medicine if you are not using adequate
birth control methods or if you are pregnant
or planning to become pregnant without talking
with your health care provider.a If your medicine
has expired, throw it away. If your health
care provider stops treatment, throw away
any leftover medicine unless otherwise advised
by your health care provider. This medicine
may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Use caution
while driving or performing other tasks requiring
alertness, coordination, or physical dexterity.
Diabetes patients -- This medicine may affect
your blood sugar level. Your doctor may need
to change the dose of diabetes medicine you
are taking. Do not take this medicine if you
are currently taking or have taken an MAO
inhibitor within the last 2 weeks. If you
are uncertain whether your other medications
contain an MAO inhibitor, check with your
health care provider. Patients with previous
medical conditions should talk with their
health care provider before taking this medicine.
Imitrex Side Effects?
Every medicine can cause
side effects, but many people have no, or
minor, side effects. Tell your doctor or pharmacist
if any of the following occurs: Severe allergic
reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing;
swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue);
serious heart problems; chest pain, pressure,
heaviness, or tightness. Common: Abnormal
skin sensations; warm/cold sensations. Other:
Nausea; vomiting; migraine; headache; decreased
salivation; dizziness;drowsiness/sleepiness;
chest, jaw, or neck tightness, pressure, or
pain; pain; feeling of a whirling motion;
tiredness.
Imitrex Warnings?
Do not take this medicine
if you are allergic to any ingredient in this
medicine, you have heart, brain, or peripheral
blood vessel disease, you have a history of
heart disease, or heart attack; you have other
types of migraine headaches (hemiplegic, basilar,
or cluster headaches); you have chest pain;
you have had a stroke or transient ischemic
attack; you have ischemic bowel disease; you
have uncontrolled high blood pressure; you
are currently taking or have taken a monoamine
oxidase (MAO) inhibitor within the last 14
days; you have used other migraine medications
(eg, ergot-containing medications or another
5-HT1 agonist) within the last 24 hours; you
have severe liver disease.
Imitrex Drug Interactions?
Do not use Imitrex
if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor
(MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine
(Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) within the
last 14 days. The combination could cause
seizures, nausea, vomiting, sweating, flushing,
and dizziness.
Imitrex Missed Dose?
Since Imitrex is used
to treat migraines or cluster headaches as
they occur and not to prevent them, missing
a dose is not a problem. Use only the doses
you need, according to your doctor's instructions.
Imitrex Storage?
Store it at room temperature
away from sunlight and moisture. Keep this
and all medications out of the reach of children.
Anything Else I Should
Know About Imitrex?
Imitrex is a headache
medicine. It is believed to work by causing
vasoconstriction (narrowing) of blood vessels
(arteries and veins) around the brain. Imitrex
also reduces the release of substances in
the body that contribute to headache pain,
nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and
other migraine symptoms. Imitrex is used to
treat vascular headaches such as migraine
and cluster headaches. Imitrex will not prevent
migraines or cluster headaches or reduce the
number of attacks. It will only treat a migraine
or cluster headache that is already occurring.
NOTE: The above
information is intended to supplement, not
substitute for, the expertise and judgment
of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare
professional. It should not be construed to
indicate that the use of the product is safe,
appropriate, or effective for you. Consult
your healthcare professional before taking
the product.
